Chapter 32 #2
Cayden breaks out into a grin, and I already know what the cocky bastard is going to say.
“I’m always up for a little more practice. Let’s see what he’s got.” He flips his mask down and takes off toward his net.
Grinning, I watch him do a few stretches as their player takes center ice. The crowd is silent as the two size each other up before Blade gets into position and stares him down.
Once he takes control of the puck, the fans get rowdy as they watch with their eyes peeled to the black disc bouncing off the stick.
Pulling back, he takes his shot, and Blade shoots his leg out and stops the puck, giving the arena a deafening roar as the fans light up with cheers.
McCormick is next as he takes the ice and stops at the center line, staring down the goalie.
Gripping the handrail, I hold my breath as he takes hold of the puck and picks up speed. His stick handling is fast and skilled to perfection as he fakes a shot left and slides it by to the right at the last second, landing behind the red line.
“Fuck yes,” I grin, as our players bang their sticks against the railing in cheer.
We watch another Hawk player take the ice before Cayden catches it with his glove. He stares down the player before tossing the discarded puck onto the ice at his skates.
Chuckling, I grin at the smug bastard, knowing he’s loving this just as much as I am.
Looking up at the scoreboard, I know we need only one more to win after their two empty nets in a row, giving us the advantage in a best out of three.
I see number eighteen skate around the front of their bench, letting me know he’s next if we don’t get this next goal.
“Stone, you’re up. Bring us home,” Coach says, grabbing my shoulder as I grin widely.
“You got it,” I reply, putting all my focus on this next shot as I hop over the bench.
Tuning out all the noise, the world goes silent as my blades glide across the ice and come to a stop at center line.
I size up the goalie and look him straight in the eye until the whole arena disappears from my vision and all I see is him. From the footage I watched earlier and by watching his every move in this game, I know his weaknesses and his strengths.
He crouches low and gets in position as he waits for me to begin. Leaving the puck on the ice, I skate around it and head toward the opposite end before turning and picking up speed. I grab the puck on my way past it, stick handling it back and forth to keep him guessing where I’m aiming for.
When I get close, I backhand it low into the corner and watch it flip in right past his left leg and into the net.
The fans suddenly come back into my tunnel vision as my name is chanted in a wild roar of excitement. I briefly touch my good luck charm branded on my chest before the team swarms the ice and shares the win with me as my helmet is tapped and gloves are hit.
Blade reaches us, and I touch my helmet to his.
“Nice saves,” I grin.
“Nice shot,” he adds, chuckling.
We skate off the ice, but not before I glance at the raven-haired beauty who’s grinning ear to ear in the stands. Her finger comes up to briefly tap her red-painted lips, and I lift my eyebrow in recognition as a smirk plays on my face.
That’s right, sunshine.
Those cherry lips are mine with that goal.
I step through the door leading to the locker rooms and quickly strip my uniform off before sinking into an ice bath. The guys are loud and excited from the win, already talking about celebrating tonight at Breakaway.
“You going out with us?” Hayes asks, walking over from the interview he just did. His pads are already off, and he’s removing his pants as he speaks.
“Nope. I’ve got other plans.” I stand up from the ice bath and grab a towel as Hayes sinks into the ice tub next to mine.
“Married already,” he chuckles. “I guess that just means more girls for me.”
“They are all yours,” I grin, heading to the shower.
I got the one I want.
I take a shower in record time, thankful I don’t have any interviews tonight, before tucking the two stuffed animals in my suit jacket that I had sent over earlier and heading outside.
A few fans are waiting, and I take the time to sign a few things, knowing how much it meant to me when I was younger to have one of the players acknowledge me.
When I’m done, I see two heads of dark curls flying in a blur before I catch Bee and Charlie in a hug as I bend down to their level.
“Hey,” I laugh. “Did you girls enjoy the game?”
“It was so fun! I got popcorn, and Daddy caught your puck!” Bee exclaims, holding out the black disc in her hand.
“My daddy caught one too!” Charlie grins, her grey eyes so like Savi’s brothers that there is no doubting that she’s a Montgomery as she shows me the puck.
“I got something else for you guys.” I reach into my pockets and pull out the dolphin stuffed animals with the Bolts emblem on the tail.
“It’s Stormy!” The girls squeal when they see the famous dolphin of our team.
“It is,” I grin, handing it to them as they hug it to their chest.
“He’s the fastest dolphin in the ocean,” Bee says in awe. “Just like you, Uncle Knox, but you’re fastest when the water is frozen.”
“I’ll take that,” I laugh.
“You are going to spoil them,” Miles laughs, watching them go over to Jake and Lyla to show them their dolphins.
“So what,” I shrug. “It makes me happy, so let me spoil them in peace.”
“I agree. It’s the best part about being an aunt or uncle,” Savi says softly, turning my attention to her.
She’s holding Jake’s baby in her arms, and my heart constricts tightly in my chest as she lovingly holds him against her chest while he sleeps soundly on her shoulder. Dark hair peeks out of a little Bolts beanie, and I can’t help but wonder what it would feel like if it were our kid one day.
“He’s beautiful, isn’t he?” Olivia whispers, looking at Cruz with a smile.
“Yeah, he is,” I swallow. I’m completely caught off guard seeing her with a baby and how it’s affecting me. This isn’t something I was prepared for, and it’s damn near killing me to keep my emotions in check.
“Do you want to hold him?” Savi asks as I flick my eyes to hers in a panic. I glance at Miles, and he just grins.
“I know how babies scare the hell out of you, but don’t worry—he won’t bite,” he says, laughing.
Little does he know, it’s not the baby that scares the hell out of me. It’s his sister standing next to him, and how I can’t stop picturing her round with mine.
I step closer to Savi and get a whiff of her light vanilla scent as our hands brush when she transfers over the sleeping bundle. Her blue eyes meet mine before she quickly looks away, knowing it’s impossible right now to hide what we both are clearly feeling.
Cruz settles into my arms, and his little sigh warms my neck as I gently pat his back, keeping him from waking all the way up.
“You’re a natural,” Olivia grins, playing devil’s advocate. I know Savi has told the girls some things, and I’m sure her and Lyla are loving my uncomfortable state right now. “Maybe you’re next.”
“We are next for sure, honey. Way before Knox having kids,” Miles laughs, wrapping his arms around his fiancé. “He’s told me numerous times that he doesn’t want the family life.”
For some reason, that pisses me off, and I can’t help the frown that creases my brow.
“People can change, you know,” Savi spits out, glaring at her brother. “You certainly did after you met Olivia.”
“Yeah, I did,” he says slowly, looking at her in confusion. It’s not like her to come to my defense. The old us would already be at each other’s throats, and she would be right there with him, talking smack about me. “Since when do you side with Stone?”
Shit.
This is not going in the direction I wanted tonight.
“Since you forced us to live together, remember? It was either try to get along or kill each other. I rather enjoy my life, so I chose the first option,” she says, clearly saving our asses with her clever comeback.
“He’s still a pain in my ass,” she smirks, glancing briefly at me and playing the part we’ve always done, “but he’s tolerable when he’s holding my nephew and giving out gifts to my nieces. ”
“See, I’m tolerable,” I grin at Miles. “I guess I’ve moved up from dog shit on the bottom of her shoe.”
“Barely,” Savi mutters, and I grin wider. I notice her fight to contain her smile and realize she’s having fun with this.
“You guys ready to eat? Knox, are you coming with us?” Lyla asks, holding both girls’ hands and walking up to us.
“They just won their game. I’m sure he would much rather go to Breakaway with his team than eat at a table with a kid’s menu,” Jake laughs.
“Actually, a kid’s menu sounds better.” I wink at Bee and Charlie, causing them to giggle.
“It’s settled then,” Olivia smiles, taking Miles’s hand as we start walking.
“Let me at least take Cruz. He’s drooling all over your suit jacket.” Lyla reaches out with her hands, but I shake my head.
“He’s fine where he is. Let him sleep some more while we walk.”
“Okay,” she smiles, taking the girl’s hands again as Jake walks on the other side of Charlie.
I walk slow letting the others get in front of me. Savi hangs back as well, and I’m grateful to finally be able to talk to her.
“Nice lipstick, sunshine.” I give her a sideways glance as her lip quirks.
“I thought you might like that.” She plays with her gold chain, and I watch my number slip between her fingers before it drops into the crevice of her breasts. I would give my left nut right now to be able to follow it with my tongue.
“I scored a goal just in case you missed it.”
“I saw it,” she smiles. “I have every intention of following through on my promise.”
Her tongue swipes along the cherry color, and my dick instantly reacts.
“Make sure you sit next to me,” I say quietly as we arrive at the restaurant. Even though we can’t openly show affection yet, it doesn’t mean I can’t reach for her under the table.
“Oh, I have every intention of doing so, number twenty-two.” A sexy grin appears on her face before she walks into the Mexican cantina, leaving me standing there holding a baby.
“I think I’m in trouble,” I whisper to Cruz before stepping inside and praying like hell I can get through this dinner without turning Savi over my knee. Something tells me she’s going to enjoy making me squirm, but she’s not the only one who can play this game.